Just impulse bought another go-kart.... and it doesn't work. :| help!

[isuckateverything]

alright guys, so after owning that other off-road go kart I decided it was time to find a go kart more appropriate for road use, (since i live in nyc, no trails around here) i quickly got tired of using it around the same dirt/grass fields near me, now my plan is to leave it covered until the winter snow comes along... can't wait for that.

anyway, searching craigslist, i found this puppy.

https://imgur.com/a/5u5Ic

seller was asking 900, got it for 400 since i couldn't get it to move once it started (after like 50 pulls) and it just died out.

pretty happy with that price, since it looks extremely close to those karts that cost 1k+ on craigslist and ebay.

however, now the issue with it not starting.. here is a video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbSolQQBEAA

he told me it could be the fuel pump not working, and it was simply a 40$ pump i could replace.... could that be the issue? because it did start up, but it wouldn't go past 1mph.

then he said it could be a blocked carb pin hole thingy, and i think it might be similar to the jet from a predator 212, which i'm hopeful it is since it should be a cheap/ relatively easy fix.

anyway, just seeking an expert opinion here, what should i check first? a list would be appreciated.


im currently uploading 2, 10 minute videos of me buying it in person, and how it started/ turned off by itself, maybe that'll help the diagnosis.


also, is there anything i should upgrade/ change that's not too hard to do but would dramatically increase comfort/the ride quality/performance?


p.s- i barely fit in the seat, could anyone suggest a comfy seat for a 230 pound 6'3 tall man. if it hugs my body it's fine, but this seat is like a kids seat or something.

 

[MTNSleder]

Start taking crap apart!

That wasn't very helpful...

Clean carburetor, maybe check fuel pump, and if not sell it for $900...

 

[jandj]

You have what's known as a "pulse pump" type fuel pump which basically means the engine has to be turning for it to work.
In theory, there's enough gas in the carb to start the motor when you pull the cord, once it fires the pump works.
A basic first step is to pull the spark plug and pull the cord several times.
If the pump works you should see gas moving from the tank to the carb.
If it doesn't, basic step two is to manually fill the lines from the carb to the pump and from the pump to the tank.
It may "pick up the prime" and run.
If none of that works and assuming you have a good pulse connection (we won't get into that yet, if it ran at all you should have that) I'd look at the fuel pump as a probable trouble spot.
Unless the housing is cracked, you don't need a new pump, you need a rebuild kit which is more or less a diaphragm gasket that you can change yourself.
If you have gas to the carb and good spark but it still won't start we'll look at the carb.
Let's work on one thing at a time before moving on to the next issue.
As for seats, they make them like yours but for bigger drivers.
Comet Karts or anyplace that sells race stuff will have them.
You can watch eBay as well.

 

[isuckateverything]

You have what's known as a "pulse pump" type fuel pump which basically means the engine has to be turning for it to work.
In theory, there's enough gas in the carb to start the motor when you pull the cord, once it fires the pump works.
A basic first step is to pull the spark plug and pull the cord several times.
If the pump works you should see gas moving from the tank to the carb.
If it doesn't, basic step two is to manually fill the lines from the carb to the pump and from the pump to the tank.
It may "pick up the prime" and run.
If none of that works and assuming you have a good pulse connection (we won't get into that yet, if it ran at all you should have that) I'd look at the fuel pump as a probable trouble spot.
Unless the housing is cracked, you don't need a new pump, you need a rebuild kit which is more or less a diaphragm gasket that you can change yourself.
If you have gas to the carb and good spark but it still won't start we'll look at the carb.
Let's work on one thing at a time before moving on to the next issue.
As for seats, they make them like yours but for bigger drivers.
Comet Karts or anyplace that sells race stuff will have them.
You can watch eBay as well.

"A basic first step is to pull the spark plug and pull the cord several times."

do you mean remote the spark plug and pull the start cord several times? sorry im new at this.


"If the pump works you should see gas moving from the tank to the carb."

yeah, the pump doesn't actually pump, i was looking at it up close, the guy who i bought it from thought it was the fuel filter on the line that was cracked.. i don't think it was cause there was no leakage.

i'm pretty sure now that I need to rebuilt the pump, do you know where i can find this kit? and how difficult it would be to actually re-build it, i don't want to mess up anything.


and as for the seat, im unsure which size will fit me, i wear a 36 in jeans should i be getting a XL seat or XXL?

thanks for all your help!

 

[KingCobra]

Just remove the plug altogether and pull the rope and see if the fuel is flowing through the system. Removing the plug makes pulling the engine over faster and easier is all. I believe you have a diaphragm inside a 'pulse pump' ( and I know you do) and I dislike them. But those pulse pumps are cheap and I would replace IF that is how you want fuel delivery to work. BTW, you said $500 pretty fast there but for what you have into it and what it would be worth running makes it worth replacing the usual culprits. Check to see that the jets are not blocked. What does that fuel smell like? IF you added fuel, it's a little too late but for those of us with experienced noses could still smell the Turpentine like smell through the smell of added good fuel. Was the tank dry when the seller added more fuel?? Maybe to hide the fact that it sat and dried up and when NEW fuel was added, debris went into the diaphragm pump to live there permanently? I personally would go with gravity feed and eliminate that pump if you can. That pump is ONLY good in a way that IF you shut that kart down, you can walk away without having to shut the fuel off. IF engine air hose connections aren't creating a vacuum, then fuel ain't flowing. CHECK YOU VACUUM LINES!! They must have a very good seal or you lose the vacuum needed to pull the fuel into the carb.

 

[jandj]

Looking at your pictures, something doesn't look right about the fuel lines.
You have a pulse line going from a fitting in the valve cover to the pump.
That's correct.
You should also have a line from the tank to the pump and a line from the pump to the carb.
That's 3 lines.
Your picture shows 4 lines.
How are the lines you have run?
Post pics.
Something else suspicious - that's a racing kart.
The tank you have doesn't look what I'd expect to see on it.
It may just be the small image on my phone.
Post pics of that as well.

 

[isuckateverything]

Just remove the plug altogether and pull the rope and see if the fuel is flowing through the system. Removing the plug makes pulling the engine over faster and easier is all. I believe you have a diaphragm inside a 'pulse pump' ( and I know you do) and I dislike them. But those pulse pumps are cheap and I would replace IF that is how you want fuel delivery to work. BTW, you said $500 pretty fast there but for what you have into it and what it would be worth running makes it worth replacing the usual culprits. Check to see that the jets are not blocked. What does that fuel smell like? IF you added fuel, it's a little too late but for those of us with experienced noses could still smell the Turpentine like smell through the smell of added good fuel. Was the tank dry when the seller added more fuel?? Maybe to hide the fact that it sat and dried up and when NEW fuel was added, debris went into the diaphragm pump to live there permanently? I personally would go with gravity feed and eliminate that pump if you can. That pump is ONLY good in a way that IF you shut that kart down, you can walk away without having to shut the fuel off. IF engine air hose connections aren't creating a vacuum, then fuel ain't flowing. CHECK YOU VACUUM LINES!! They must have a very good seal or you lose the vacuum needed to pull the fuel into the carb.

Hey King! Thanks for your help last time!

I will do what you suggest and see what info I can provide.

Gravity fed gas seems a lot better to me, but if I could get the pump to work with a rebuild kit, I think it might be better to leave it where it was originally placed (under the steering column).

---------- Post added at 02:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:51 PM ----------

Looking at your pictures, something doesn't look right about the fuel lines.
You have a pulse line going from a fitting in the valve cover to the pump.
That's correct.
You should also have a line from the tank to the pump and a line from the pump to the carb.
That's 3 lines.
Your picture shows 4 lines.
How are the lines you have run?
Post pics.
Something else suspicious - that's a racing kart.
The tank you have doesn't look what I'd expect to see on it.
It may just be the small image on my phone.
Post pics of that as well.

Yeah, so it was connected with 3 lines total before, but the guy said it wasn't starting because the pump is bad, so he decided to try and gravity feed feed the gas straight into the motor/carb without the pump and it didn't work..

so pretty much it's sitting as it is in pictures right now, with the gas tank on to fed directly to the carb (without the fuel pump)

and it still won't start.. bad sign?

i think i might try and buy new gas, maybe that's the issue?

also what Oil should I use in this kart? regular 10w30 ok? (how many oz's would be helpful too)

 

[MTNSleder]

regular 10 -30w wally's world oil is easily good... I fill it up till it comes out, I know that's to much oil for it but its a pretty common practice...

 

[jandj]

Now we're getting somewhere and it explains why the tank looked out of place.
So...right now you're gravity feeding the carb and bypassing the pump.
If you have gas from the tank to the carb AND have good spark and it won't fire, either (as was said above). the carb needs going through or the gas is so "dead" it's no good.
Yes, clean the tank and run good gas to the carb and see what happens.
You can also cheat and use a careful shot of instant start.
If the spark is good it should fire and run the few seconds the instant start lasts.
That'll confirm gas ain't going through the carb like it should.

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:02 PM ----------

Uh....you have checked the spark plug, haven't you?

 

[isuckateverything]

Now we're getting somewhere and it explains why the tank looked out of place.
So...right now you're gravity feeding the carb and bypassing the pump.
If you have gas from the tank to the carb AND have good spark and it won't fire, either (as was said above). the carb needs going through or the gas is so "dead" it's no good.
Yes, clean the tank and run good gas to the carb and see what happens.
You can also cheat and use a careful shot of instant start.
If the spark is good it should fire and run the few seconds the instant start lasts.
That'll confirm gas ain't going through the carb like it should.

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:02 PM ----------

Uh....you have checked the spark plug, haven't you?

No I haven't checked the spark plug, DOH! I'm an idiot. I'm already at autozone getting a fuel filter, carb cleaner, and oil. When I get back I'll check the spark plug. Once again I'm new at this lol

 

[KingCobra]

Now we're getting somewhere and it explains why the tank looked out of place.
So...right now you're gravity feeding the carb and bypassing the pump.
If you have gas from the tank to the carb AND have good spark and it won't fire, either (as was said above). the carb needs going through or the gas is so "dead" it's no good.
Yes, clean the tank and run good gas to the carb and see what happens.
You can also cheat and use a careful shot of instant start.
If the spark is good it should fire and run the few seconds the instant start lasts.
That'll confirm gas ain't going through the carb like it should.

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:02 PM ----------

Uh....you have checked the spark plug, haven't you?

I agree and I'm sure the answer lies in the carburetor float bowl........ literally......... Hopefully it just plugged the jets and didn't get logged internally but I might suggest removing the carb and doing a thorough cleanse. Air compressors do great for blowing debris and water from orifices in carb bodies. Take pictures for reference before you take each component apart so for ease of assembly. It's a tedious but an easy job, just take your time and be patient and try to save the gaskets if possible. I'm pretty sure also that that is where your problem lies. And thank-You for the Thanx ........ Scott

 

[isuckateverything]

No I haven't checked the spark plug, DOH! I'm an idiot. I'm already at autozone getting a fuel filter, carb cleaner, and oil. When I get back I'll check the spark plug. Once again I'm new at this lol

OK, so it's sparking good, my guess is it's either bad fuel or something in the carb blocking the flow of fuel..

gonna check on that tomorrow, spent all my time today looking at the **** thing expecting god to give me an answer... didn't work :{ but at least i have you guys.

the spark plug is extremely black and so is the inside where the spark plug goes, that's a bad sign right? sludge and all that?

could i use seafoam to restore it?

 

[jandj]

There's wet black and dry black and sooty black, but in general black means it was running rich.

---------- Post added at 06:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:14 PM ----------

Post some good pics of your carb from different angles.
That way we'll know what you have.
Also, did the previous owner give you any details on what had been done to the motor, especially internally?

 

[sefishy]

it could also be jetted for alcohol. just a thought. new carbs are 9$ shipped on amazon
.....or just pull it off your other kart

 

[KingCobra]

it could also be jetted for alcohol. just a thought. new carbs are 9$ shipped on amazon
.....or just pull it off your other kart

I hope he has a nice pin gauge cause he's been in the carbs quite a bit lately.

 

[isuckateverything]

it could also be jetted for alcohol. just a thought. new carbs are 9$ shipped on amazon
.....or just pull it off your other kart

they're that cheap? what?

might as well buy a new one.

would this work?

https://www.amazon.com/Ketofa-Engin...1510788322&sr=8-16&keywords=engine+carburetor

---------- Post added at 06:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:28 PM ----------

here are some more pics.

https://imgur.com/a/hvfQy

(pics of the dirty spark plug that still sparks well, should i get a new one?)

(pic of carb intake thingy) (also should the flap inside the carb be closed or open when starting up?)

(pic of loose fuel line, replaced it and now it still doesn't work... pulling a pulling, but unsure if something else is wrong. even got new gas in it)

also what is that filter like box, behind the seat? can i do a delete or is it important?

 

[KingCobra]

That says 5.5 GX160. Maybe a carb to the GX200 would work?? Don't know about that carb you found but I guess no. It might starve your motor if it goes to a 212 cc engine. Actually I did miss the part about that engine other than it was suggested that the jet could be similar to a 212cc??? Is that a 5.5 Briggs?

 

[isuckateverything]

pictures from today.

https://imgur.com/a/ocn1L

completely cleaned out the gas tank, replaced with new fuel.

deleted the pump, will go with gravity fed as KingCobra suggested.

there is a yellow hose coming from the OHV cap in the back, not sure what it's purpose is, but it feels like it also ejects air like the predator 212 did, can i just remove it and hoseless, or does it have to plug into the gas tank to pressurize the gas to come out.

eitherway, it hasn't started after a couple of pulls, not sure what else to look for so i oped up the float on the carb, tried taking pictures of it to show you what it looks like, however since the tire is in the way i couldn't take out the jet inside (i believe it has one similar to the predator) and i couldn't check for a blockage..

so, speaking of which, do i need to remove the wheel in order to inspect the carb and clean it?

if a new carb is 9$ like that other guy said i'd rather replace it, because it looks to be in terrible shape.

thanks guys!

---------- Post added at 06:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:37 PM ----------

That says 5.5 GX160. Maybe a carb to the GX200 would work?? Don't know about that carb you found but I guess no. It might starv your motor if it goes to a 212 cc engine.

does this look ok?

https://www.amazon.com/Signswise-Ca...9064&sr=1-16&keywords=engine+carburetor+gx200

---------- Post added at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:39 PM ----------

That says 5.5 GX160. Maybe a carb to the GX200 would work?? Don't know about that carb you found but I guess no. It might starve your motor if it goes to a 212 cc engine. Actually I did miss the part about that engine other than it was suggested that the jet could be similar to a 212cc??? Is that a 5.5 Briggs?

i have no clue what engine it is to be completely honest, how can i check?

all i see is that the carb says JAPAN on it... is this a subaru engine

 

[KingCobra]

It appears to state that it would work but I hate the ONE SIZE FITS ALL theory.... I will find one here, have patience. Still don't know what that engine is. Looks like a flat head Briggs( especially if it was used for racing).... Hey, I'm 6' 4" and 225. I prefer high back buckets like on my go kart. They hug and are still snug!

---------- Post added at 06:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:45 PM ----------

Take a better more on photo of the engine if you could. There must be a model or part number stamped somewhere. But a good photo will surely work

 

[isuckateverything]

It appears to state that it would work but I hate the ONE SIZE FITS ALL theory.... I will find one here, have patience. Still don't know what that engine is. Looks like a flat head Briggs( especially if it was used for racing).... Hey, I'm 6' $" and 225. I prefer high back buckets like on my go kart. They hug and are still snug!

ok, thanks for the help! i'll check back soon to see which carb you suggest

I have a high back bucket, but i want to try the more snug race seat.. recently flipped the other go kart and i felt like it was mostly because the seat isn't that great, soooooo fun to do donuts in the dirt with that thing.. now im ready to go around corners like a mad man.